Inspiration

Designer Sofas Direct

*** UPDATE: Designer Sofas Direct had some administrative business problem this year (I think one of their biggest problems was customer service – it took them five months to get my sofa to me, with the understanding that I was going to blog about the experience in exchange for the sofa and shipping, so you’d…

*** UPDATE: Designer Sofas Direct had some administrative business problem this year (I think one of their biggest problems was customer service – it took them five months to get my sofa to me, with the understanding that I was going to blog about the experience in exchange for the sofa and shipping, so you’d think they’d move faster on that one. Nope.). The company has recently closed it’s doors. If you have any further questions, please email me and I can pass along the info that Don provided.

I know there are other sofa knock off companies (I think Custom Sofa Design might still be operating?), but it’s important to understand the risks. Sure Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware are pricey, but they are a for sure thing and the time line and the quality is guaranteed. I bought my Lee Industries sofa as a floor sample at C&B for less than a Custom Sofa Design piece costs. Also, I think Room and Board is a good value. And I actually really like IKEA’s Ektorp series! Holds up as well as the Rowe for Pottery Barn pieces. ***

Hi friends!! Long time, no talk! We are all moved in to our new apartment, but we still don’t have internet. But, to be honest, it’s been sort of nice to get a little break from the www. :)

The move went really well and I think we’re going to be very happy here. Most of the furniture I brought is fitting in the space as planned and I’m really excited to share my apartment decorating adventures with you all!

We moved into a loft space downtown, so we have a nice amount of living area. There is enough room for two full size sofas! I had my green LEE Industries sofa reupholstered (more on that later) and I contacted Don from Custom Sofa Design (which I blogged about HERE) for options on the second sofa. Don recently launched a great new website called DesignerSofasDirect.com and it’s awesome.

I’m going with the Kenmore sofa that I’ve loved for months now. Don has been a dream to work with. I asked him to send me linen options in the gray family and in two shakes there were several beautiful swatches in my mailbox.

I’ll keep you updated on the sofa progress but in the meantime, I thought you would enjoy seeing photos of two sofas my internet friend and fellow decorator Kristen Dowd ordered from Don. Kristen is really talented. Remember her gorgeous entry?

Here’s her email to me:

Jenny,

As we discussed, I ordered two custom sofas from Don Jefferies at DesignerSofasDirect.com earlier this summer. I was in the market for 2 new sofas and had not found exactly what I wanted. After shopping several local custom sofa manufacturers, I knew it was the route I wanted to go. I actually saw your blog post on Don’s company, and decided to be the “guinea pig” so to speak. His prices were far lower than any of the other shops I had visited. I kind of thought it was too good to be true. My husband also gave me the classic eye roll when I told him I had sent a check to Don for two sofas I had never “actually” seen.
For the first sofa, we needed something big, and I knew I wanted a white slip covered style. I reviewed all the styles on Don’s site and chose the “Aubrey”. I chose to upholster it in a white Belgian linen slipcover with black piping. Pillows are a down fill. I also wanted a short skirt to make the sofa appear a bit more casual. The last change I made was to add casters to the legs on the front. I cannot be happier with this sofa. The quality is amazing, slipcover is impeccable and has washed beautifully.
The second sofa I needed was a love seat. My husband and I had actually both seen the “Pauline” sofa from Z Gallerie and loved it. It did not come in a love seat size from Z Gallerie, so I asked Don if he could make it, and of course, he could! I also wanted this sofa skirted, and he was able to accommodate that. I chose to upholster this one in a putty colored polyester velvet.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Don’s company applies individual upholstery nails for the trim as opposed to a strip. At his low price, I was expecting a strip. This sofa is my daughters favorite. She is two, so needless to say, the sofa has seen its share of Teddy Grahams, juice and stickers and still looks great. I love the velvet manufactured by Queen because literally liquids roll right off of it.
As far as quality, both sofas have held up beautifully. I am thrilled with every aspect of this product. The look is perfect, the quality is impeccable, price was less than half of what I was quoted from competitors, and shipping was very quick.
A tip I would give others who are thinking about ordering would be to visit local furniture stores and look through the fabrics they have. If you see something you like, write it down and ask Don if he carries that same fabric. Every fabric that I had liked at local stores, Don also carried. It is sometimes easier to see the fabric up close as opposed to a tiny fabric swatch.
I would highly recommend any of your readers to order a sofa from Don. They will be so happy they did! They can feel free to ask me any questions as well.
I am thinking I may order a headboard from him next…
Kristen
Gypsy Soul Interiors
Space 1121 at White Elephant Antiques
Here are some of my favorites on Don’s new site. The prices for these gorgeous sofas is outrageously competitive – starting at around $599. You’ll see on his site that the sofas come with all sorts of sizing and configuration options. Also you can view all of these in 3-D online:
Lorenzo (love this one!)
Reims – so gorgeous in a library!
Dante (I would get this beauty skirted)
PS If you order before September 19, you’ll get an additional 10% off!
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45 thoughts on “Designer Sofas Direct”

  1. This is so weird. I know you have been away from blogging for a while but I just now went on to your site to search for the post you did on these sofas awhile back and lo and behold…! Can't wait to peruse the goods on Don's site and see the pictures of your loft decorating projects. :)

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  4. Glad your move went well. I've been looking at Don's stuff for awhile now but was a bit worried that it really was too good to be true. It's really great to have a report from an actual buyer/guinea pig!! I can't wait to take a look at Don's new site. Thanks for the update!

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  7. a.w.e.s.o.m.e!!! What a great source to know about, thank you Jenny! glad the move went well, can't wait to see how your apartment decorating is coming together…beautifully, of course! These couches are divine, and the prices are unnnnbelievable. Thank you!

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  8. Glad you're back!! I wish I needed a sofa now, because I'd definitely look into these!! Can't wait to see your new digs……

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  9. How great! Kristen is an old friend and I love clicking in to see her house on LGN! I am going to order a sofa from Don when we finish our library remodel next year!

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  12. I'm happy to hear a report on the quality of these sofas. What about comfort? Just as I've been leery about ordering fabric I haven't seen, I also worry about ordering something online that I haven't sat on.

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  13. Thank you so much for posting this! I will most likely order my next upholstery piece from here, I have been debating it for a while after seeing it here on your blog as well as on a few others but was so afraid about the quality – this definitely helps!

    I'm glad you are all liking the new place – can't wait to see what you're doing with it!

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  15. so glad to hear that you're getting settled & loving the city! thanks for the sofa review, this will definitely come in handy. will get in touch soon! xo

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  16. I'm not really in the market for a sofa right now, but who cares because finally we get another LGN blog treatie! Glad you're moved in and back – I've missed your styliciousness!

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  24. Kristen, if you are reading this I LOVE your yellow rug in one of your photos. I have been looking for a rug in yellow for a client and this looks perfect. Can you tell me where you got it. I tried to find you directly but couldn't. Thanks

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  26. LOVE, love love Don's sofas (especially the prices). I live in NYC too – can I ask what he quoted you for shipping? I'm concerned the expensive shipping would void the low price…

    Thanks!

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  27. Welcome back! Can't wait to see pictures of the new apartment!

    I will definitely be checking out his site – the sofas look beautiful and the prices sound right – thanks for sharing this tip!

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  28. I've been missing you. So glad you were able to take some time away from blogging. Hope you had a good vacation. Happy to hear that the move went well.
    Gorgeous couches!!

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  29. Thanks for the sweet notes everyone. Yes, the sofas are extremely comfortable. Even my husband loves them!

    As far as the yellow rug, it is the Eva rug from Ballards. It looks much more yellow in person than on their website. The website makes it look like a dark orange.

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  30. Jenny, so glad you are back! I can't wait to see the new apartment. Gypsy, thanks for the great sofa post. I'll keep them in mind. The velvet love seat is perfect!

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  32. I'm glad to hear this because I tried two or three times (*months" ago) to communicate thru the old website and never heard back. Maybe it went to my spam? I was really disappointed because no one, and I mean no one, has the variety of styles, fabrics, colors, for that kind of pricing. Maybe I'll try the new site.

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  33. That looks amazing! Do you know of a similar place that makes armchairs? I can never find quite what I want…

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  34. Can you PLEASE tell me where to find a yellow/white damask rug similar to the one used in the room here?? I've looked everywhere.

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  38. Hi, Was excited to hear about the furniture but I am worried about comfort… Any reviews on that.. I am debating Don or Sherill with down and spring.. How do you think it would compare

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  39. How did you get in touch with Don? I've sent inquiries to both websites and haven't heard anything back other than an automated response from the Custom Sofa Design website directing me to a different website called SofaCraft.com. Seems a bit confusing to me. Would love to hear more about your experience working with him.

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  43. My husband and I moved into our first home just a stone's throw from Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. We have beautiful, unobstructed water views from the front of the house, especially since there is an estuary across the street. Our living room is narrow and has a wall of windows, and a centered fireplace on the opposite wall, so it was a bit of a challenge trying to find the right sofa(s) to fit the space. A friend turned us on to Designer Sofas Direct. We were nervous because we'd never done anything like this before. The initial inquiry brought me to Launa, who was more than happy to work with us on a custom design. After perfecting the design and maximizing our space, we settled on a 14' long sectional based on the "Reese" style and with the fabric we had selected. We were happily surprised at the price – who knew that a custom sofa could be affordable?? The wait ended up taking much longer than expected, but it was well worth it!! It turned out even better than we could have imagined – a beautiful, stylish work of art and it fit our living room like a glove. Somehow it made the room look twice the size! We now enjoy watching movies curled up on our spacious sofa, with a crackling fire, and can't wait to entertain neighbors and friends/family. A huge THANK YOU to Launa for helping us all the way through the process, from initial concept to delivery! We are thrilled!!!

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  44. I ordered 2 love seats and received 1 from Designer Sofas Direct. Was hoping for delivery for Thanksgiving, then Christmas….still hoping. The 1 is beautiful but the room was designed for 2. Designer Sofas Direct customer service not answering emails or calls.

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  45. I'm so glad I found this update. I ordered swatches after reading the original post and received them in great time. However I have been eagerly awaiting your follow up before I took the plunge and ordered my sofa. I am so glad I waited. I will look elsewhere now. I'm not in a hurry (obviously) but the business sounds shaky and it makes me nervous.

    Reply
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